ESPN Lenny P: Roadblock to Ware's deal

[WoodysGirl]

Ware's deal facing roadblock: The six-year, $63 million contract signed with Baltimore by Terrell Suggs this week probably will hold onto its distinction as the richest ever for a linebacker only until Dallas gets an extension completed with DeMarcus Ware.

And it looks like a deal with Ware, who is entering the final year of his current contract, could take a while. Certainly the deals by Suggs and Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth have raised the ante. But the situation is this: The dollars aside, Dallas officials and Ware disagree pretty strongly over the length of the contract. Ware, of course, wants a shorter term, which will get him back to the bargaining table while still in his prime. Not surprisingly, Dallas prefers a longer contract, one for six or seven years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=4335794

 

[AbeBeta]

I really doubt that is a roadblock. Players and agents know that Jerry will do right by guys and is happy to give new deals.

 

[Texan_Eph89]

I guess the length could be an issue...
Ware wants to get paid more than once, the Cowboys want to make sure he never leaves.

Although contracts are redone a lot, so they could make a clause in the contract maybe?

A 4-5 yr deal would probably work and try to resign Ware a year before it's done. He would still be in Pro-Bowl shape at that time.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Expect Ware's pay to exceed that of Suggs
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 | Print Entry

Baltimore's Terrell Suggs agreed to a terrific 6-year, $63 million contract late Tuesday, but expect it to be jumped by Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys and Ware have been in talks for months. Ware should become one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players if he can get a long-term deal. Now that the Suggs deal is done and the Panthers have Julius Peppers for only a one-year deal, Ware and the Cowboys have a chance to figure his value and come up with a monster long-term deal.

In two years as a franchise player for the Ravens, Suggs turned the hybrid position of defensive end-linebacker into one of the NFL's better-paid positions.

A year ago, Suggs filed a grievance against the league when he was a franchise player at the linebacker salary number. He contended that he had more plays in 2007 at defensive end than he did at linebacker and merited the higher franchise salary number of an end. A special master was going to have to count every play that season, but the Ravens offered a solution that increased his one-year tender between that of a franchise linebacker and that of an end.

Suggs' contract puts him among the league's highest-paid defensive players. The $48.3 million he will receive over the first four years of the contract is slightly more than the $48.1 million Albert Haynesworth will receive over his first four years with the Commanders.

With Suggs getting his deal and Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe signing a one-year franchise tender, the only unsigned franchise player is Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson.

 

[stilltheguru]

Smart move Ware. Get what you are worth or leave.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Smart move Ware. Get what you are worth or leave.

:laugh2:

Maybe he can sign with Buffalo.

 

[CoCo]

I really doubt that is a roadblock. Players and agents know that Jerry will do right by guys and is happy to give new deals.

If you're implying that if Ware signs for 7 years only to find out his deal is well below market in 4 years that Jerry will redo it, I question that.

When someone makes a killing on Jerry its because a) they had leverage or b) Jerry mis-judged their remaining productivity and resultingly overspent.

If Ware wants protection vs market in exchange for a long term deal then he ought to build in some adjustors protection into the deal not "trust" Jerry to redo the deal just because he's paid under market.

 

[stilltheguru]

:laugh2:

Maybe he can sign with Buffalo.

Aaron Maybin will be just fine thank you.

 

[RS12]

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on July 18, 2009 10:46 AM ET
Terrell Suggs just set a new monetary standard for pass rushing linebackers that DeMarcus Ware will likely surpass one day.

According to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, that day may not come for a while.

The Cowboys and Ware are reportedly far apart in terms. Money may not be the issue; it rarely is in Dallas. The two sides disagree "pretty strongly" on the length of the contract.

Ware, naturally, wants a shorter deal so he can hit free agency again in his prime. The Cowboys want six-to-seven years.

If the Cowboys get their wish on a deal that long, Ware could be looking at a contract that tops Albert Haynesworth's $100 million contract.

Unlike Haynesworth, Ware would likely have a chance to reach the end of his deal.

 

[juck]

I knew this was getting fishy.

 

[5mics]

Meet each other half-way and do a 5-year deal. Seems pretty obvious to me...

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

I don't see this being an issue. Honestly, if Ware signs a 6 or 7 year deal, he's probably not going to see the last 2 years anyway without getting restructured, considering how young he is. If I was the Cowboys, I'd be glad to do a 4 or 5 year deal. You're on the hook for less money if something goes wrong, and you run less of a risk of him getting to the last couple years and performance dropping(probably not going to happen with Ware, but you never know.)

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Give him a 4yr deal. He'll be 30 then you can judge from there. ALA Harrisons new deal.

 

[CATCH17]

Give him a 4yr deal. He'll be 30 then you can judge from there. ALA Harrisons new deal.

For a contract of that size you would think 6 years wouldn't be an issue.

As good as Ware is he isn't worth 25 million a year in salary cap football.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

For a contract of that size you would think 6 years wouldn't be an issue.

As good as Ware is he isn't worth 25 million a year in salary cap football.

Who said he would be getting 25 mil a season? Give him 4yrs 60 mil. 40 guarenteed. Everyones happy. He'll still be in his prime when he's 30 too.

 

[davidb257]

Give him everything, and legal rights to Jerry's grandchildren to eat them for breakfast.

You know Ware needs his protein.

 

[burmafrd]

A shorter contract makes more sense. With all the changes that are likely coming in the new CBA and everything else. its quite likely that in 5 years Ware will seem to have a cheap contract. And no matter how tough you are no matter how well conditioned you are, any player is only one play away from retirement. A shorter contract would protect the club from such a disaster, whereas a 7 year deal would be more risk.

 

[Sammy Baugh]

A shorter contract makes more sense. With all the changes that are likely coming in the new CBA and everything else. its quite likely that in 5 years Ware will seem to have a cheap contract. And no matter how tough you are no matter how well conditioned you are, any player is only one play away from retirement. A shorter contract would protect the club from such a disaster, whereas a 7 year deal would be more risk.

But it is Ware, not the club, who wants a shorter contract.

 

[PullMyFinger]

Why does Ware even want to hit free agency? I thought he wanted to retire a Cowboy, if that's the case then the length of the contract shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Chief]

Give him everything, and legal rights to Jerry's grandchildren to eat them for breakfast.

You know Ware needs his protein.

:laugh2:

I agree. Give him whatever he wants.